Lesson 8: The Battle of Brooklyn

 

Battle of Brooklyn on Long Island, NY

The Battle of Brooklyn

Miracle after miracle helped George Washington as he learned to lead the Continental Army.

The first miracle was that Knox and his men moved the cannon 300 miles in fifty-six days  in winter. With the help of [80 yoke of] oxen and ice sledges he arrived outside Boston on January 25, 1776. At a river crossing near Albany, “a few of the heavily laden sleds broke through and their vital cargo had to be dredged up from the icy river bottom.” (Quoted in Harvard Magazine) The second miracle was that the British didn’t notice 2,000 men and 400 oxen moving the cannons up onto the heights. “Howe was reported as saying [when he woke up March 5 to discover the development], ‘The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army would have done in a month.’ These canons were used to kick the British out of Boston. Source 

After compelling the British evacuation of Boston in the early months of 1776, George Washington accurately guessed that their next target would be New York City. Howe was counting on a one-battle war. George Washington wanted to inflict some damage before retreating. The  British moved 10,000 infantrymen onto Long Island. The Americans pulled back to Brooklyn Heights. Howe was sure Washington would surrender but Washington retreated. The British advance was halted by bad weather and the winds changed just as Washington's men began to retreat. Learn more about the Battle of Brooklyn here.

Nathan Hale, Patriot Spy

I love the story of Nathan Hale. He was courageous and strong. He was captured by the British.

 

Read the book: One Life to Lose for My Country

Watch America's First Spymaster

Lorenda Holmes, Loyalist Spy

Lorenda was also courageous. She was sure that her gender would protect her. She was also captured but she escaped. To learn more click here.

General Howe

Sir William Howe was a 45-year old daredevil. He had declared that he would never accept a commission to serve against the American colonies. As commander, he expected a one-battle war and subsequent peace talks. He issued a proclamation offering pardon and the enjoyment of liberty and property rights to all who would sign a declaration of loyalty within sixty days. Even those who had fought in Washington’s army were included. He thought that the majority of citizens were loyal to the crown and that Washington was an "outsider." During the Winter on 1777, General Howe threw lavish parties in Philadelphia while George Washington and his men starved at Valley Forge. He withdrew from his post before the end of the war because he felt it was better to lose well than to win badly.

Image Credit: Domenick D'Andrea / US National Guard / Public Domain